Innovators in medical institutions outside the public system are rarely heard
Healthcare is a hot-button issue in Canada. But while ideological divisions run deep, one thing we can all agree on is how public healthcare is in crisis and solutions can come from anywhere, including the private sector.
Where once private clinics were an abstraction for many Canadians, they are a greater part of the healthcare landscape in recent years. Despite some social and political tension surrounding healthcare delivery, there is nonetheless ample opportunity for med tech and private sector providers to communicate the advantages of a public-private model that makes the overall system better, stronger and more nimble.
In Canada where public healthcare is central to our perceptions of good governance, this is one of the most challenging arguments a thought leader can make in this jurisdiction. Radical change requires resolute leadership and also workable solutions, so choose your words carefully…
Confronting Scepticism
As private sector healthcare takes up more and more space within the public system, people are naturally concerned about how this impacts accessibility and rights under the Canada Health Act.
One such right is “… that all eligible residents of Canada have reasonable access to insured health services on a prepaid basis, without direct charges at the point of service for such services.”
The pandemic confronted Canadians with the reality that their healthcare system is struggling to function with a serious lack of resources but perceptions are that the private sector only exacerbates the problem.
Some common criticisms in Canada of private health providers include:
- Undermines Universality: Critics argue that allowing private healthcare would lead to a system where wealthier individuals receive faster and potentially better care, while others face longer wait times and reduced quality in the public system.
- Exacerbates Inequality: Private healthcare may widen social and economic inequalities, as only those who can afford it would benefit, leaving vulnerable populations with fewer options and poorer outcomes.
- Drains Resources from the Public System: Allowing private healthcare could divert doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from the public system, worsening staff shortages and wait times for the majority of Canadians.
- Higher Overall Costs: Studies from other countries suggest that private healthcare systems often lead to higher overall healthcare costs, as administrative expenses and profit motives increase without necessarily improving outcomes.
- Risk of Over-Treatment or Profit-Driven Care: Critics warn that private healthcare might prioritize profits over patients, leading to unnecessary tests or procedures and creating inefficiencies driven by financial incentives rather than medical necessity.
- Cherry-Picking of Patients: Private providers might prioritize treating healthier, less complex cases to maximize profits, leaving the public system to handle more resource-intensive and costly cases.
- Fragmentation of Care: Private healthcare systems may lead to less coordination between providers, disrupting the continuity of care that is essential for managing chronic or complex health conditions.
Med Tech’s Moment
The pandemic was tragic and traumatic for everyone, but it also served to accelerate the trajectory of telemedicine and all forms of medical technology in the healthcare sector.
With restrictions to in-person treatment due to lockdowns and social distancing, telemedicine proved to be a godsend at a time when an immediate solution was required. The results were nothing short of phenomenal. One study found that 94% of patients who used virtual care instead of an ER rated their experience an eight out of ten or higher.
What does this have to do with communicating confidence in a rapidly shifting healthcare delivery system? While some provinces and even the federal government may be pulling back from virtual care and telemedicine, others ― like our home province of Quebec ― are embracing it.
When promoting the use of telemedicine services in the public healthcare ecosystem, data should be on your side. Our team developed communications plans to inform workforces of tens of thousands about their new virtual care benefits, and results across organizations were impressive and appreciated by employees, themselves concerned about the healthcare system overall.
There have been several compelling medical storylines over the pandemic, including the Quebec government’s partnership with remote psychologists to increase mental health support; Quebec-based biopharmaceutical companies developing mRNA vaccines for multiple uses and one may be the world’s first plant-based shot; an Ontario-based firm invented a portable COVID-19 test delivering results in under an hour; not to mention the myriad companies in manufacturing who refocused their production on personal protective equipment (PPE).
One question we often ask entrepreneurs in our initial discovery sessions is: What was your pandemic pivot? If you haven’t made one, consider this question as the “what’s new” query is often at the forefront of media interviews.
International Inspiration
Many societies around the world have successfully found a balance between public and private healthcare, demonstrating that a hybrid model can offer universal access while leveraging the efficiency and innovation of private providers.
Australia is often cited as a leading example, with its dual public-private system that ensures universal coverage through Medicare while encouraging individuals to purchase private insurance. This arrangement may reduce strain on the public system by allowing those with private insurance to access faster care for non-emergency procedures, creating a balance between equity and efficiency.
Another notable example is Germany, where statutory health insurance (SHI) covers over 90% of the population, ensuring universal access to healthcare. The system allows individuals to opt for private health insurance if their income exceeds a certain threshold, giving them access to shorter wait times and additional benefits.
Singapore is another standout, often ranked among the most efficient healthcare systems globally. Its unique “3M” framework—MediSave, MediShield, and MediFund—combines mandatory savings accounts with government subsidies and private insurance options. This approach encourages personal responsibility for routine medical costs while providing financial safety nets for catastrophic health events. The result is a system that maintains affordability and accessibility, with private providers playing a key role in service delivery.
There is ample evidence to suggest public and private healthcare can coexist successfully when the system is designed with accountability, equity, and efficiency in mind.
Difficult as it may be to argue in Canadian media spaces where scepticism of private healthcare is high, by citing pandemic-era data and best practices from well-performing jurisdictions, Canadian innovators can help create more interesting conversations about systemic reforms that will inevitably balance both spheres of the industry.
